THE DISEASES OF CATS, AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



373 



had been dug out of the eye. They may 

 occur either in the centre of the cornea, or a 

 little above it, or sometimes a little towards 

 the outer angle of the eye. 



At the outset the cornea at the particular 

 spot or spots in which the inflammation is 

 localised becomes softened, then bulges, and 

 finally gives way, so that a depression or ulcer 

 is left on the eye. Some time after this ulcer 

 becomes filled up with granulations of a dirty 

 red colour, which afterwards become absorbed, 

 when the cure is complete. Frequently two 

 ulcers appear side by side. 



Sometimes, when these ulcerations are im- 

 properly treated or neglected, or associated 

 with great debility or anaemia, the white speck 

 remains as a permanent blemish, or in the 

 more serious cases the ulcer perforates the 

 eye, and the contents of which bulge and cause 

 what is termed a staphyloma, from its resem- 

 blance to a grape, or the whole eye may become 

 involved in the inflammation and be totally 

 destroyed. In these cases of the destroyed or 

 " lost " eyes, the whole eyeball has a greenish- 

 white appearance, and seems to bulge out from 

 the socket in consequence of the general 

 swelling of the organ. It may give way or 

 become ulcerated, giving rise to a continual 

 discharge, and if not removed causes great 

 pain and exhaustion. 



Treatment. The cat should be kept in the 

 dark, and soothing antiseptics applied to the 

 eye. 



The solution lecommended for conjunctivitis 

 is also very serviceable here. If the eye affection 

 is due to distemper or any other general disease, 

 it is, of course, necessary to treat this disease, 

 in addition to the local applications to the eye. 

 When ulceration takes place, the following 

 drops are recommended : 



Eserine salicylate . 

 Distilled water 



1 grain. 



2 drachms. 



To be instilled between the eyelids, by means 

 of an eye-dropper, two or three times a day. 

 Tf, however, there is much vascularity, the 

 following drops are advisable : 



Atrophine sulphate . . -J grain. 

 Cocaine hydrochloride . . 6 grains. 

 Distilled water . . .2 drachms. 



After all the acute symptoms have passed 

 away, the indolent granulations may require 

 treatment. A suitable application for this 

 purpose is : 



Chinosol . . . -3? grains. 



Rose-water . . . .8 ounces. 

 24* 



To bathe the eye, by means of allowing the 

 lotion to drop by squeezing a piece of lint 

 saturated with it between the eyelids several 

 times a day. 



When the eye is irretrievably lost, and sup- 

 puration commences in the interior of the eye, 

 it is necessary to remove the whole eyeball. 

 However, this should not be performed in the 

 case of distemper until after the original disease 

 abates, else removal of one eye will probably 

 end in destruction of the other. 



GeneraL_Remarks on the Eye. In all affec- 

 tions of the eyes, a careful examination of them 

 should be made by an experienced qualified 

 veterinary surgeon. As, however, in some 

 out-of-the-way places professional aid is diffi- 

 cult, if not impossible, to obtain, a few brief 

 hints as to general treatment should be useful. 

 Many amateurs, in their anxiety to effect a 

 speedy and complete cure, attempt too much, 

 use powerful and irritating drugs (often also in 

 improper proportions), and frequently, with 

 the best intentions in the world, succeed in 

 permanently injuring or even destroying the 

 sight. It is therefore better, in the absence of 

 professional aid, and especially in the earlier 

 stages of inflammation of the eyes, to trust to 

 mild and palliative treatment, and to " give 

 nature a chance." 



In all cases of recent inflammation, soothing 

 applications should be used, such as warm 

 infusion of poppy-heads or camomile flowers, 

 warm milk, cocaine drops, etc. If the in- 

 flammation is associated with increased tension 

 of the eyeball, due to an excessive quantity of 

 fluid within it, or is accompanied by deep 

 ulceration, the increased tension should be 

 reduced by means of the eserine drops. 



Lotions containing either lead or silver nitrate 

 should not be used in inflammation of the 

 cornea associated with ulceration, as the former 

 is apt to leave a white spot or patch, and the 

 latter a brown or blackish stain. 



Last, but by no means least, animals affected 

 with disturbance of the eyes should be kept 

 in the dark, or at any rate away from the fire 

 or from any glaring light, and should be shielded 

 from draughts. The general health should also 

 be looked to, and nourishing food given. 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



The cat is very fortunately free from many of 

 the skin complaints that affect the dog. Never- 

 theless, domestication and improper surround- 

 ings the curses of health demand a few 



